Travels, trips and journeys: Wonder Workers

Travels, trips and journeys: Wonder Workers: What can mankind do to be remembered? Or what can you do to evoke admiration? Or is it too important to leave a mark in this impermanent wo...

Travels, trips and journeys: I LOVE YOU, AMSTERDAM!

Travels, trips and journeys: I LOVE YOU, AMSTERDAM!: People are becoming wiser when their 30's? Well, did I become wiser? No! I'm still a fool but not that much. Better than nothing I ...

One Way Ticket to AMSTERDAM!

People are becoming wiser when their 30's? Well, did I become wiser? No! I'm still a fool but not that much. Better than nothing I guess? Do I know what I want? No! But at least I know what I do not want (Even that part is not crystal clear). And I know one thing for sure, I want to travel. I can't stop my desire for travelling. So, last weekend I was at Amsterdam...

I Amsterdam and me, trying hurt my self.

Before telling my Amsterdam journey, I would like to say something;

When I was 18, I was thinking I would drown in cash, be CEO of a top notch company&career psycho, and have lots of Louis Vuitton bags at my 30.

Now I'm 30 I'm not drowning in cash, I'm working as a tax consultant and trying to be a CPA (such a loser I'm), I do not have even one Louis Vuitton bag.

But those things that I wanted when I was 18 are not required any more (expect the bags). Only thing that matters for me is being a good human being.

So far I have learned something for sure, titles and money will vanish. One day we'll all get old, only the memories will stay with us. So earn memories, have something to remember and tell.

Do not stay at home, travel; you don't have to be rich to travel. Travelling is not a luxury but a necessity.

Oh, God! I talked too much. I'm sorry the tiny city Amsterdam, home of great painters.

Now, I'm giving all my attention to you.

I love myself, does it count?

As I mentioned, city is small but content is huge. There are 2 big and important museums first of all. Van Gogh and Rijks Museums.

I have been Amsterdam before, this time it was only for 1.5 days of journey so we went to only Rijks Museum. It took 3.5 hours to visit all museum and please note that; it was a quick tour. If you do not have 3.5 hours, I recommend you to visit Gallery of Honour where you can find Rembrandt, Vermeer. One floor below, you'll see Van Gogh and Monet.

A quick question, what is name of Rembrandt's most famous painting? Could you recognize it?

There it is, the great Night Watch;

What makes the Night Watch so great? I guess the details, you feel like Frans Banning Cocq will leave frame and talk towards you. The painting is not still, every figure is moving.

By the way, original name of the painting is The Company of Captain Frans Banning Cocq.

Look at Vermeer's the most famous painting. He paid attention to every small detail, there is a nail on the wall, and window glass is broken....



Look how she is pouring the milk carefully; everything is still except the milk. It feels like you can hear the sound of pouring milk.
 

Kitchen Maid

If only a servant is only handling a letter to a lady, why this painting is called as "love letter"? Because the cittern that is holding is the symbol of love.

Love Letter

Rembrandt's self-portrait

Another Vermeer, a young lady is reading a letter, you the map behind her; they say it could be an allusion to the sender.

After Rijks we headed to Red Light District. Even if the place famous with drugs and prostitution, it's a big place with nice cafes and bars. There is even a church there.

But just to follow customs we bought a small cake and saw hookers.

Be careful, you are not allowed to take pictures of ladies.

 

Break in the case of emergency

 

After walking around Red Light, we went to Dam Square, saw Ukrainian protesters. Square was preparing for Christmas, pity, we could not see the big Christmas tree.

 

Decorating Christmas tree

I'm supporting every body who demands justice

So after Dam Square we biked to again Leidseplein. Yes bike, I recommend you to hire a bike. Biking is perfect way to travel in the city. Since the city is small biking is the best solution.

We rented our bikes from our hotel for 16 EURO (daily price). We stayed Hotel Central Park. It was a OK hotel, clean sheets and room, no breakfast service.

Hotel was close to Vondel Park, approximately 1.5 km to Museum Quarter.
 

When it comes to food, Amsterdam is not famous with its food. If you are fancy in french fries you are in the right place.

We went Hard Rock Cafe at Leidseplein near to canal, typical American food, meat, hamburger and shitty beer.

When you are in Amsterdam your expectations from beer is huge but do not expect too much. I haven't taste any good beer but thanks to God they had Belgium beers.

At night, we went to a bar called Momo, nice bar where white collars hang out. After reaching enough alcohol in our bloods we again biked to Red Light District.

Then somehow, we found our hotel, went to bed. The day that we left, we went to a nice breakfast place, called Anne&Max. It was really close to our hotel. We spend our last in Amsterdam with having breakfast and praying for a blizzard. With a blizzard we could spend one more day in Amsterdam but we were in İstanbul on time.

Yummy

Some clichés;